New York: Five-way Gov. race -- Third parties push change

New York: Five-way Gov. race -- Third parties push change

"We will never reverse pending planetary environmental collapse as long as we have a capitalist economy where competition for profits drives the blind, relentless growth that is consuming our environment," Hawkins said on his website. "We will never reverse extreme and growing economic inequality as long as workers get a fixed wage and capitalists take the rest of the value that labor creates as profit."

Citing the necessity for systemic change "toward an ecological democratic socialism," Hawkins looks to redistribute wealth "equitably" through the use of a "state-owned Social Wealth Fund" to use tax funds "to buy a portfolio of stocks, bonds and real estate ... and share the returns across the population."

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By Matt Freeeze

With candidates pushing plans that range from taking the ax to state income tax and regulating hemp and cannabis like onions, to establishing statewide broadband and state-owned banks, to housing market regulations, this year's New York governor's race is getting some heat from third party candidates urging change.

New York is a "plurality" state, meaning the top vote-getter wins, even if a candidate garners 30 percent of the overall vote.

Running for the Libertarian party, Larry Sharpe describes his outlook: "you can be as conservative or as liberal as you want to be -- just don't force others to be like you."

Having done campaign events in N.Y.'s 62 counties, at least 30-per-month according to his Facebook page, Sharpe proposes a localized approach to state government.

"I don't know what you need in upstate New York, and you don't know what I need in Queens," Sharpe said. "So, how about we let you be you, me be me, her be her, and him be him -- we can be free together."

Sharpe's main push is to "let counties be counties and regions be regions" -- allowing individual counties to make the calls on things like natural gas production and funding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

To further support that local approach, Sharpe says he would look to sell one of the current governor's helicopters and take the proceeds to purchase and technologically outfit a bus so that he could "run the government from it" and continue his movement around the state.

Among his proposals are a complete revamp of the state education system, abolishing the state income tax, consumer-driven healthcare reform and policies to help farmers statewide.

Sharpe claims he can "get rid of the state income tax within four years."

In order to accomplish such a massive feat, Sharpe proposes the leasing of naming rights for infrastructure -- such as bridges, roads, and within the New York City subway system.

The proposal could net an untold amount of funds, but Sharpe alleges that if a company will spend $20- to $40 million for naming rights for a sports stadium, that it is conceivable to lease naming rights to large bridges within NYC for upwards of $100 million annually. The draw, he says, is the advertising gained from media mentions "hundreds of times per day."

Sharpe says NYC banks have already agreed to financing the deals.

Further, the idea would put lessees on the hook to cover any and all maintenance costs.

"We still keep the asset -- we paid for it, we keep it," said Sharpe.

His proposal would continue state infrastructure inspection -- if quality or structural integrity suffer, the company would be responsible to bring it back up to par. A company would get three chances to fix the issues, and if still unsatisfactory, naming rights are once again opened up for another company to step in.

Regarding the regulation of hemp and cannabis "like onions," Sharpe's proposal aims to reduce a burden on law enforcement while boosting profitability for local farmers. By taking the exact regulation language for onions and replacing that one word with "hemp/cannabis," Sharpe says that local farmers will be free to grow, specialize and market in a newly opening industry.

The only additional change in regulation would be the requirement to be 18-years-old.

"Cannabis is a way of growing our state. It's a way of making people free, growing jobs, and increasing our tax base without increasing taxes," Sharpe said on his website.

Often on the record hammering Republicans for the passage of the state's SAFE Act, which many say is unconstitutional, Sharpe says "unfortunately, in the state of New York, the second amendment has now become the second suggestion."

Sharpe, a former Marine, vows to defund SAFE Act enforcement and "insure that law-abiding citizens can be responsible for their own safety, while still combating criminal behavior and acts of violence."

"Everyone has a personal right and responsibility to protect their families, communities and businesses, this includes members of the LGBTQ and minority communities whose second amendment rights are threatened," Sharpe's website says.

It is worth noting that Sharpe has a large presence on social media -- Twitter, Facebook and YouTube -- where further details are discussed.

For Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, state oversight is the name of the game with the campaign slogan "Demand More."

On his website, Hawkins advocates for healthcare as a guaranteed right, progressive taxation, affordable housing and "ecological socialism," as well as the public funding of state-operated banks, broadband internet and a "social wealth fund."

Regarding progressive taxation, Hawkins proposes that the state take over funding for Medicaid, increase taxes on corporations, and seeks to determine tax rates for individuals, businesses and financial transactions based on new "brackets" to be added to state tax law.

"We will never reverse pending planetary environmental collapse as long as we have a capitalist economy where competition for profits drives the blind, relentless growth that is consuming our environment," Hawkins said on his website. "We will never reverse extreme and growing economic inequality as long as workers get a fixed wage and capitalists take the rest of the value that labor creates as profit."

Citing the necessity for systemic change "toward an ecological democratic socialism," Hawkins looks to redistribute wealth "equitably" through the use of a "state-owned Social Wealth Fund" to use tax funds "to buy a portfolio of stocks, bonds and real estate ... and share the returns across the population."

Those funds, providing there are dividends, would be used to spark economic improvement across the state, Hawkins says.

Additionally, Hawkins proposes the creation of state-owned banks, which would be funded through tax revenues, interest on the bank's loans and pension funds that want to invest in the state.

Regarding the second amendment, Hawkins' website outlines the desire to "defend the individual right of law-abiding citizens to own pistols, rifles and shotguns for self-defense, hunting and sport shooting."

In terms of reforms, Hawkins proposes to "ban the sale of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and bump-stocks."

Further, Hawkins proposes a requirement that "all gun owners pass a gun safety test, a visual test and be licensed by a government agency ... divest state pension funds from owning shares in gun manufacturers ... (and) universal background checks for gun and ammunition buyers."

It is worth noting that Hawkins' website goes into more detail regarding his proposals, and further detail and discussion can be found on YouTube.

"We pledge to address each of New York's challenges and problems with the thoughtful, compassionate and innovative mindset these issues demand," she said. "We will bring honesty, integrity and accountability back to state government."

In terms of housing and homelessness, Miner says rent regulation is not enough -- she looks to work with advocates, planners and developers to stimulate the housing market to meet the needs of renters throughout the state.

Miner looks to "stop criminalizing poverty" and support programs to provide a "statewide rent supplement for low-income families."

In terms of accountable spending, Miner proposes the reexamination of budget negotiation processes, that contracts for goods and services are overseen by the state Comptroller's office, and enforce penalties for not meeting budget deadlines.

Further, Miner looks to "take over the local share of medicaid payments and insist the savings get passed on to property tax payers." Miner says this will "soften the detrimental impact" of the Federal government's decision to do away with the state and local tax deduction.

On the issue of the second amendment, Miner has been on the record pushing for "reasonable and meaningful gun control" following firearm-related violence that has long affected the City of Syracuse.

Few details are available regarding Miner's proposals, but more information can be found at MinerForNY.com.